Newsletter, August 7

Message from the Representative

Dear Community Members of NY-14,

We hoped to vote on a COVID-19 relief bill this week, but unfortunately, negotiations between House Leadership and the Trump administration appear to have completely stalled. We don’t currently have guidance on when we can expect a final bill but we belive that, at a minimum, it will be several more weeks. There are reports that the President will sign an executive order to extend unemployment insurance, rental foreclosures, and student loan forbearance – but we do not yet know the details or if that is even certain.

I know this wait and uncertainty is devastating for many of you. On Tuesday, August 11 at 5:15 PM, we will be holding our monthly town hall. I’ll use that time to discuss the status of a COVID-19 relief bill and to discuss other federal, state and local public benefits that may be available to you. We’ve included a list of some resources below. The town hall will be virtual. To send a question ahead of time, please email aoc.townhall@mail.house.gov or call 718-662-5970. Spanish translation will be available. You can sign up here.

In other Washington news this week, the Census moved up the deadline to complete their count. Everyone now must complete the Census by September 30. Right now, it looks like 1 in 3 people in our district will not be counted – which means we will miss out on one-third of the funding we deserve for things like Medicaid, Head Start, public school funding, infrastructure and housing. So, please, don’t delay, complete the Census today online, by phone or by mail. It takes just ten minutes. All information is confidential and everyone should complete regardless of their documentation status. Go to my2020census.gov now to complete the Census.

Also this week, Congresswoman Velázquez and I sent a letter to the New York State Attorney General requesting an investigation into hedge funds alleged to have engaged in insider trading while profiting off of Puerto Rico’s economic devastation. I also joined Senator Kamala Harris in introducing the Climate Equity Act, which would create an Office of Climate and Environmental Justice Accountability within the Office of Management and Budget and require the government to consider the impact of any environmental legislation or regulation on low-income communities (more).

On Monday, our office is hosting an information session for constituents who are applying to Military Service academies, on how to navigate the process of securing the required letter of recommendation from their Congressmember. This virtual event will take place on Monday, August 10 at 11 AM. Interested students must RVSP to Mabel.Tso@mail.house.gov.

As always, if there is anything our office can do to help during this difficult time, please do not hesitate to reach out. NY-14 constituents can contact our office with any additional questions by calling 718-662-5970 or by sending a message HERE.

In service,

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

Our District is On Track to Lose Federal Funding

This week, the Trump administration moved the deadline to complete the Census up to September 30. Make no mistake, this is a deliberate attempt by the President to try to leave out diverse communities like ours undercounted. Right now, it looks like 1 in 3 people in our district will not be counted – which means we will miss out on one-third of the funding we deserve for things like Medicaid, Head Start, public school funding, infrastructure and housing.

It takes just 10 minutes to complete the Census and it’s completely confidential. Everyone should complete regardless of their documentation. Go to my2020census.gov to complete the Census online or to learn how to complete it by phone or mail. All you need is your address. Language assistance is available.

Financial Help Available from City, State and Federal Governments

We know many of you have been hit hard since the expiration of pandemic unemployment insurance. Here are some resources that may help address the gap:

Public Benefits: The City has compiled this comprehensive list of public benefits, so you can see what you see for what you may be eligible. It’s available in multiple languages. https://access.nyc.gov/pandemic-benefits-guidance

Financial Counseling: New York City Financial Empowerment Center counselors are also available to support those experiencing financial challenges. Book an appointment at http://nyc.gov/TalkMoney

Emergency Cash Assistance: The City’s “One Shot Deal” emergency assistance program helps people who can’t meet an expense due to an unexpected situation or event. To apply and learn more, see here.

Help Finding a Job: The City has organized open job opportunities here. Other listings compiled by the Fund for Public Health are available here.

Financial Planning After a Job Loss: The IRS has created this FAQ to answer your questions about tax planning and withdrawing from a pension/ retirement account after a job loss.

Health Insurance: New Yorkers who are without health insurance should apply now through the state’s health insurance exchange. If you lost employer coverage, you must apply within 60 days of losing that coverage. Because of a loss of income, New Yorkers may also be eligible for Medicaid, the Essential Plan, or Child Health Plus.To find a health care provider, call 844-692-4692 or 311, regardless of immigration status, insurance status, or ability to pay.

Utility Payments: The Governor directed the New York State Department of Public Service to suspend public utilities from cutting off service – including power and heat – to customers affected by COVID-19. For more information, please call the state’s 24-Hour Coronavirus hotline: 1-888-364-3065.

Student Loans: New York student loan borrowers should visit the Department of Financial Services’ website for more information about available student loan relief. Available relief includes 90 days of deferred monthly payments, waived late fees, no negative reporting to credit agencies and enrolling eligible borrowers in available long-term assistance programs.

Freelancers: If you’re facing nonpayment issues, file a complaint here.

NYCHA: NYCHA residents may qualify for a rent reduction based on rent hardship if all the following conditions are met: there is at least a 5% reduction to gross income; current rent is more than 30% of the net household income; reduction in income has lasted at least two months. For more information, go here.

Tenants concerned about eviction: Call 311 and ask for the Tenant Helpline. The moratorium on evictions in New York State has been extended to September 4th.

Food/Grocery Assistance: Free meals are now available to anyone in New York. The city has 435 sites spread out around the five boroughs where people can get breakfast, lunch, and dinner all to go, free of charge. To find a location near you click here or text “NYC FOOD” to 877-877.

You can also apply for food assistance benefits and view a map of food pantries and community kitchens here.

The City has created the GetFoodNYC food delivery program to provide food for coronavirus (COVID-19)-vulnerable and food-insecure New Yorkers not served through existing food delivery programs. Find out more information here.

Every NYC public-school family will also receive $420 loaded onto a card for groceries as part of a program known as Pandemic-EBT. No sign-up is required. All families of NYC public school children, regardless of your immigration status, income, or employment, will receive this money. If you already have an EBT card or a Medicaid card, the money will automatically be added to your card. If you don’t have an EBT card, you’ll receive one in the mail in the coming weeks. For more go to nyc.gov/getfood.